Hoffman, the Padres’ third-base coach, is a big spoke in the coaching wheel.

“For me he is the best in the business,” manager Bud Black said. “I wouldn’t trade him for anybody.”

Hoffman didn’t swap residences when hired in 2006. Married with five children, he declined to uproot his clan, instead he turned to the I-5 and I-15 to reach Petco Park.

On weekdays, the I-5 rocks. On weekends, especially in the summer, it’s the 1-15, and what is his record time?

“I can’t say,” Hoffman said. “But I know where they hide.”

The veteran Hoffman knows all. And what he doesn’t know, opposing fans will inform him.

“Especially here because it’s the visiting side and they sell tickets to the out-of-towners,” Hoffman said. “Although I got a few regulars over there that got my back.”

He’s got a supporter in Black, and maybe it’s because he knows how seldom Hoffman, in his 38th year of pro ball, is wrong. Hoffman has been a starting shortstop, Dodgers manager, bullpen and third-base coach.

Friday marked the 1,012th game Black and Hoffman worked together. Of those outings, guess how many signs Hoffman misread?

“None,” Hoffman said. “Unless I missed them and he didn’t tell me.”

Say you, Black?

“Never missed one,” he said.

Hoffman doesn’t have the luxury of the second guess. A Padres base runner hits second, picks Hoffman up and is either waved home or spots the stop sign.

“I’ve never run through one of those,” Chase Headley said. “Although I don’t run fast enough to do it.”

Hoffman’s mind clicks like a computer gone mad: what’s the score, where are they in the order, how quick is the runner, how good is the outfielder’s arm, how keen is the infielder’s transition on the relay, the inning and much more.

“He studies videos, but he also just has a good feel for the game, has good instincts,” Headley said.

Hoffman, 54, can sniff out an opposing outfield arm being protected. He’s wise enough to also recognize on occasion, he doesn’t know what will transpire.

“You take a calculated risk, see him go by and then close your eyes and hope he makes it,” Hoffman said.

Black said Hoffman is rarely fooled.

“He is making decisions on the fly and is extremely good at it,” Black said.

Hoffman also sets the infield defense.

He positions players, but more importantly, does what Black can’t — put his lips together and blow.

“I can’t whistle like that,” Black said of Hoffman’s shrill. “Even if we’re in Philadelphia or San Francisco, places like that, he can still be heard.”

Black mentioned San Francisco, and in the third-base coaching fraternity, that recalls a tale too good to ignore.